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WestJet Strike Countdown: What to Do If You're Flying This Long Weekend

  Published July 31, 2026  |  Canadian Money Brief If you've got a WestJet flight booked for this weekend, here's the situation in one line: a strike or a lockout could ground the airline's cabin crew as early as Saturday, August 1 at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time / Sunday, August 2 at 12:01 a.m. MT — right at the start of the busy August long weekend. Nothing has happened yet. WestJet and the union representing its roughly 4,400 flight attendants, CUPE Local 8125, are both still at the table. But both sides have now filed the legal paperwork that makes a work stoppage possible within days, so this is the moment to actually check your booking rather than hope it sorts itself out. HOW WE GOT HERE Flight attendants voted 99.4% in favour of a strike mandate back on July 15. On July 30, the union issued a 72-hour strike notice over wages and unpaid ground work — CUPE says the average flight attendant does about 35 hours a month of unpaid boarding, security, and delay-related work...

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Netanyahu Announces Hostage Release Deal Amid Ongoing Conflict


In a significant development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that a deal has been reached to release Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. This agreement comes after intense negotiations and is expected to bring relief to many families who have been waiting for the safe return of their loved ones.

The deal, which is set to be implemented in phases, will see the release of 33 Israeli hostages, including women, children, and men over 50, in the first six-week phase. In exchange, Israel will release Palestinian women and children under 19 detained in Israeli jails. The total number of Palestinians released could range between 990 and 1,650, depending on the number of hostages freed.

The ceasefire agreement, which accompanies the hostage release deal, aims to halt the fighting that has devastated Gaza, killed over 46,000 people, and displaced most of the enclave's population. Despite the agreement, Israeli airstrikes continued in Gaza, causing further casualties.

Netanyahu's announcement has been met with mixed reactions. While many see it as a necessary step towards peace, hardliners in Netanyahu's coalition have opposed the deal, viewing it as a capitulation to Hamas. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have threatened to resign if the deal is approved.

The Israeli cabinet is expected to give final approval to the deal, with the first hostages set to be released on Sunday. This development marks a crucial moment in the ongoing conflict and could potentially ease hostilities in the region.


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